o brien



Nov. 5, 1957 P. R. O'BRIEN 2,812,094

STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR. PATRICK 1?. OBElzC-N Nov. 5, 1957 P. R. O'BRIEN STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3, 1956 I INVENTORY PWR/(QQO BRIE/v HITORIYEVS STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE Patrick R. OBrien, Seattle, Wash.

Application January 3, 1956, Serial No. 556,933

4 Claims. (Cl. 216-29) This invention relates to stamp affixing machines and it has reference more particularly to a manually operable mechanism whereby postage stamps may be applied to cards or envelopes.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a practical, easily operated and relatively inexpensive mechanism whereby ordinary postage stamps, as joined in continuous strip form, and formed in rolls, may be severed individually from the roll, moistened and then applied to a card or envelope in the proper manner as required for mailing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism or machine of the character above stated wherein the operations of advancing the stamp strip in contact with the surface of a water containing pad or sponge to moisten the adhesive on the back of the stamp, individually severing the moistened stamps from the roll for application to the card or letter, and the pressing of the moistened stamps against and causing them to adhere to the cards or envelopes is accomplished by the manual oscillation of a single control lever.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism as above stated, which by a quick and easy reversal of parts, can be changed from right hand to left hand operation, or vice versa.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for making adjustments in the mechanism which adapts it for the application of stamps of different widths as measured lengthwise of the rolled strip.

Further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts, embodied therein, in their combination and in the mode of operation of the machine, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, 1 have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a stamp aflixing machine embodied by the present invention, showing a portion of its housing broken away for better illustration of normally enclosed parts, and also showing the stamp severing and afiixing parts in position to receive a card or envelope for the afiixing of a stamp thereto.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the machine as seen from the opposite end and side from that seen in Fig. 1, and showing certain parts in their stamp severing and affixing position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the machine in position of Fig. 2 but with its cover applied thereover.

Fig. 4 is a section taken through the machine in the vertical plane of line 4-4 in Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail, showing in enlarged section, parts of the stamp strip severing knife, the envelope supporting platform and the stamp pressing plate.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective of parts of the stamp feed chain and its advancing pawl.

States Patent Fig. 8 is a cross section of the feed roll mounting means.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The various parts of the present machine are operatively mounted within a frame structure which for practical reasons, is made in the form of a shallow rectangular pan. As well shown in Fig. 1, this pan comprises a flat, horizontal bottom plate 10 with integral opposite sidewalls 11--1l' and opposite end walls 12-12; the pan preferably being formed of sheet metal and equipped with four resilient supporting pads 13, of suction cup form, that are attached to its bottom at the four corner portions thereof, as noted in Figs. 4 and 5.

Fixed within the frame structure, transversely thereof and near what will be referred to as the rear end wall ill, is a metal strap formed into a substantially U-shaped yoke 15 having upright, laterally spaced legs 15a-15a between which a stamp roll, such as that designated in its entirety by numeral 16, is supported by a revolubly mounted spool or spindle 17 which, as best seen in Fig. 5, is seated at its ends in upwardly opening recesses 1818 formed in the upper ends of the legs 15a-15a. The spool is equipped at one end, outside the adjacent supporting leg 15a, with a freely rotating sprocket wheel 19 and likewise at its other end With a ratchet wheel 20 which is fixed thereto. A spring steel finger or pawl 21 is mounted at one end in the frame, with its free end disposed to ratchet over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 20 as the stamp strip is unwound but which will engage therewith to prevent any reverse or rewinding of the stamp strip on the roll 16 during the operation of resetting the stamp feeding and strip cutting devices, as will presently be described.

Fixedly mounted in the forward end portion of the pan-like frame structure is a metal plate that extends lengthwise of the frame and from side to side. This plate is so shaped as to provide at one end thereof, a transverse, vertical wall 25 that is spaced rearwardly from the front end wall 12 to provide a space or compartment between them in which a water holding block 26 of sponge rubber or the like is fitted. Continuing rearwardly from the top edge of the end wall 25, the plate provides a hori- Zontal platform 28; this being slightly above the level of the top edge of the sidewalls 1111 of the frame. At its rear edge the platform 28 merges into a slightly elevated, transversely directed trough defining portion 30 within which a water soaked sponge rubber block 31 is fitted, the top surface of which block is level with the top edges of the trough defining walls. Continuing from the top edge of the rear side wall of the trough forming portion 30, is a downturned flange 32 terminating in a horizontally and rearwardly turned portion 32x upon which, near opposite sides of the frame, paired spring clips 33-33 are co-operatively arranged for the rotatable mounting therebetween of the opposite end trunions 34x of paired feed rolls 3434, that are disposed one above the other, as well shown in Figs. 4 and 8, between which feed rolls the stamp strip, 16s, as drawn off from the roll 16, is gripped. The driving of one of these feed rolls, as later explained, causes the forward end of the stamp strip to be advanced across the wet sponge block 31 to moisten the adhesive coating on its under surface.

It is shown in Figs. 1 and 4 that a thin, flat metal strip 35 is extended across the sponge from side to side of the machine; this strip having downturned opposite end portions fitted between ends of the sponge block and the sidewalls of the frame to hold it in place. It is further to be noted that the stamp strip passes across the top surface of the sponge block 31 and beneath the strip 35 which causes the strip to be pressed lightly against the sponge for the purpose of causing its adhesive coated under surface to be moistened by contact with the sponge.

To advance the stamp strip across the moistening sponge block to successively prepare the stamps for application to cards or envelopes, I provide the strip indexing mechanism which has been shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. This mechanism comprises a sprocket chain belt 37' that "operates aboutthe freely rotating sprocket wheel 19 and a smaller sprocket wheel 38 that 'is fixed on the supporting trunnion 34.1 of the lower feed roller 34, as seen in Fig. 8.

Pivotally mounted in the frame structure, for oscillation'in the central, longitudinal, vertical plane thereof, is an angular lever, designated in its entirety by numeral 40 and well shown in Fig. 4.

This lever preferably is formed from a'single piece of stiff wire, that is bent upon itself to provide a forwardly and downwardly curving arm 40a. The two portions of the wire which continue from the inner end of the arm 40!: are bent apart, toward opposite sides of the frame, then extend along opposite sides of the frame short distances and terminate in downwardly directed leg portions 49b-40b that lie within the sidewalls of the frame. These legs are formed at their lower ends with outturned, and axially aligned trunnion or pivot portions 400 which extend outwardly through holes 4141 formed in the opposite sidewalls 11-11 of the frame to receive them; these holes being located, as noted in Fig. 4, just forwardly of the location of the stamp roll supporting yoke 15. These trunnions extend from the walls outwardly, and each is equipped to receive thereon an upwardly directed hand lever 42 for the manual oscillation of the lever 40. By reference more particularly to Fig. 4, it will be understood that the lever 40 may be swung upwardly and downwardly, by the manual oscillation of the hand lever 42, between the full line and dotted line showing of the lever.

Adjustably supported from the lever 40 and extended rearwardly therealong and beyond the limits of the down turned legs 40b, is a bar 44 which at its rearward end pivotally mounts a pawl 45 thereon. This pivoted pawl has its free end adapted to holdingly engage with the top run of the chain belt 37 when the lever-40 and 'bar 44 swing forwardly and to ride freely thereon when they swing rearwardly. It is to be noted, especially by reference to the enlarged detail in Fig. 7, that the pawl is formed at its lower end with laterally spaced guides 47-47 that extend downwardly at opposite sides of the chain belts 7, and has 'a central tooth 48 that is adapted to be received in the chain openings as the pawl moves forwardly to effect a holding connection with the chain whereby, with the forward and downward swing of the levers '40 the chain will be moved forwardly.

It will further be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the manual actuation of the hand lever 42 that causes the lever 40 to swing downwardly from the raised position of Fig. l to the lowered positionof Fig. 2, will cause the bar 44 which is fixed to the lever 40, to move accordingly and cause the pawl '45 to push the engaged portion of the chain forwardly, thus to rotate the gear 38 to drive the stamp feeding roll 34 to effect the forward feeding of the stamp strip between rolls 34-34 and .push the stamp which is at its forward end, from a position flatly engaged with the top surface of the sponge 31 to a position directly above and spaced from the platform 28.

As the lever 40 approaches the limit of its forward and downward swinging movement, the pawl 45 .is disengaged from the chain belt 37 and the forward advancement of the stamp strip stops. It'is then that the advanced, moistened stamp is cut free from the stamp strip. This cutting is accomplished by means of a knife blade 50 that is fixed to the forward or swinging end portion of the lever 40. The blade as shown best in Fig. 4 comprises aplate of greater width than the stamp roll, and arcuately curved about the axial lines of the pivot portions 400 of the legs 40b, and is sharpened across its lower edge. As the blade is swung downwardly with lever 40 its lower end will be caused to engage with the stamp strip and to 'pass downwardly through a slot 51 in the rounded upper edge of the forward wall which defines the forward side of the sponge holding trough 30 and across which the stamp strip then extends. As the stamp is thus cut free from the stamp strip, it is caused to be pressed onto the envelope or card which, before the operation, would be placed in position to receive it as will presently be explained.

The resetting of the lever 40 and bar 44 after a stamp strip cutting and stamp applying operation, is effected by force of a coiled spring 60 that is attached at its ends under tension to a sidewall of the frame, as at 61 in Fig. 1, and to the adjacent leg portion 40b of the lever 40. With the return of the lever 40 to its raised position, the pawl 45 will ratchet back over the chain belt 37, and the pawl 21 automatically engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 20 to prevent any reverse turning of the stamp roll mounting spool.

After a stamp has been cut free from the end of the stamp strip, its application tothe envelope is automatic. To provide .for the afiixing of a severed stamp, a press plate '70 is yieldingly supported in spaced relationship with and above the platform 28, as noted in Figs. 4 and 6; the plate being held yieldingly in position by guide posts 71-71 fixed in opposite sides of the main frame to extend upwardly beyond the top of its sidewalls passing through holes 72 in the forward corner portions and side portions of the plate. Coiled springs 75 are ap plied about the posts between platform and plate, to yieldingly support the plate in desired spacing above the platform, that will permit a corner portion of an envelope E to be disposed between them, as has been illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6.

Assuming that an envelope E, or a card, has been inserted between the platform 28 and plate 70 as seen in Fig. 6, it will be understood thatas a stamp is cut from the strip end by action of blade 50, it will fall upon the corner portion of the top face of the envelope. Then, with its final downward swing of the lever 40, under the manual pressure applied through mediacy of the hand lever 42, the end of lever arm 40:: will engage plate 70 and push it down against the stamp and underlying envelope to cause the stamp to be affixed to the latter. This pressure may be held momentarily as may be required to insure adherence of the stamp. Upon release of lever 42, the parts are returned to normal position by pull of the spring 60.

To accommodate the machine for handling of stamps of different widths, as set otf between the .lines of perforations in the stamp strip, the lever 44 as operatively supported upon the lever 40, is mounted for its longitudinal adjustment in bearing blocks and 81 which are welded or otherwise fixed to lever 40 as shown in Figs. 1 and .2. Set screws 83 in the blocks may be tightened against the bar to secure the setting. By longitudinally adjusting the lever, .to bring the pawl 45 closer to the larger sprocket wheel 19, a greater distance of travel of the chain boat 37 is provided for and consequently the stamp strip will be caused to travel farther as required for stamps of greater width.

The point of release of the pawl from the chain belt is effected by and may be accurately established by the means shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 to comprise a release bar 85 that is adjustably mounted by a block 86 fixed to the plate flange 32. The bar 85 terminates at its rearward end in two laterally spaced fingers 8787 that extend along opposite sides of the chain belt near the sprocket wheel 38, in position to be engaged by the guide legs 47-47 of pawl 45 asit moves forwardly, thus to lift the'pawl 45 from the chain. The longitudinal adjustment of barBS-establishes the exact place of release of pawl 45.

It is further to be explained that one or the other of the forward posts 71 may bewithdrawn to accommodate the placing of envelopes in stamp receiving position from either the right or left hand side of the machine. The remaining forward post then serves as a stop against which the end of the envelope is caused to engage.

The adhesive on the flaps of envelopes may be moistened by drawing them across the top surface of sponge block 26, if it is desired to do so. This, however, would ordinarily be done prior to stamping the envelopes.

Machines of this kind may be equipped, if desired, with covers as shown at 90 in Figs. 2 and 3; the cover being shown in closed position in Fig. 3.

Such machines are light in weight, relatively small, easy to use, satisfactory for their intended purposes and comparatively inexpensive.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A stamp affixing machine of the character described comprising a frame structure, a plate mounted therein as a platform upon which a corner portion of an envelope may be laid to receive a stamp, a stamp moistening pad mounted adjacent said platform, a yieldingly supported press plate overlying the platform and spaced therefrom to receive the envelope between them, paired feed rolls between which a stamp strip is gripped and by which it may be advanced, means for intermittently rotating said rolls a predetermined distance to advance the end portion of the strip across said pad for moistening the adhesive surface of the end stamp and to then position said stamp between the press plate and envelope as disposed on the platform, a lever pivoted in the frame for limited oscillation, a blade carried thereby and operable by the travel of the lever toward one limit to sever the moistened stamp from the strip after it has been advanced to affixing position and said lever being engageable with the press plate after the stamp has been severed from the strip to press it' against the envelope, and means for oscillating said lever; said means for intermittently rotating said rolls being operable by said lever immediately before the stamp atfixing operation and with the same movement of said lever.

2. A stamp affixing machine of the character described comprising a frame structure, a platform plate fixed therein upon which a corner portion of an envelope may be flatly disposed to receive a stamp, a press plate overlying said platform, yieldable means normally supporting said plate spaced above the envelope as disposed on the platform, a stamp roll rotatably mounted in the frame, a stamp moistening pad adjacent the platform, a pair of feed rolls between which the end portion of the stamp strip is gripped for feeding, a lever pivotally mounted in the frame to oscillate above and lengthwise thereof, a handle for the manual actuation of the lever in one direction, a spring attached to the lever and frame to actuate it in the opposite direction, means on said lever whereby its manual actuation effects rotation of the feed rolls to advance the stamp strip across the moistening pad and to position the end stamp thereof between the envelope and press plate, a blade on said lever operable against the strip to sever the positioned stamp therefrom; and said lever having a downturned end portion extended beyond the blade and engageable with the press plate at the end of its manual movement to press the severed stamp against the envelope.

3. A combination as recited in claim 2 wherein one of said feed rolls is equipped with a driving sprocket wheel, and a sprocket belt operates over said sprocket wheel and wherein said oscillating lever operates along said belt and has a pawl pivoted thereon to engage the belt to advance it and effect rotation of the feed roll to advance the stamp strip with the initial movement of said lever by said hand lever and prior to the stamp afiixing pressure against the press plate.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the effective travel of the pawl may be lengthened or shortened to accommodate it to the stamp being used.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 26,543 Wright Dec. 20, 1859 217,685 Farquharson July 22, 1879 1,156,308 Palmer Oct. 12, 1915 1,534,355 Bishop et a1 Apr. 21, 192.5 

